July 31st
With the sun shining brightly and the tide high we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour. We saw 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Goldfinches, 14 Linnets, 7 Cormorants, 3 Ringed Plovers, 26 Turnstone, 2 Little Egrets, 12 Dunlin, 6 Common Terns, 6 Pied Wagtails, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Sanderling, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Redshank and 1 Willow Warbler.

Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull

Newly arrived Dunlin

July 30th
We spent a cloudy morning ringing at Reculver and saw 10 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Turtle Doves, 2 Jays, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Swifts, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Grey Herons, 30 Sand Martins, 15 Goldfinches, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 25 Reed Warblers, 3 Whimbrel W and 1 Little Egret. Unfortunately the Turtle Dove nest we found had been predated, probably by Grey Squirrels.

Birds ringed 41: Long-tailed Tit 1, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 12, Cetti's Warbler 1, Whitethroat 5, Robin 2, Goldfinch 9, Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 3, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.

Willow Warbler


Derek Smith was also out this morning and walked from Shuart and along the seawall to to Coldharbour and back along the embankment. He counted 11 Little Egrets, 2 Sandwich Terns, 5 Common Terns, 2 Marsh Harriers, 26 Whimbrel, 14W and 12S, 22 Turnstone, 8 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 18 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 juvenile Stonechats and his first Painted Lady.
At Grenham Bay Terry Wilson counted 2 Curlews, 2 Ringed Plovers, 6 Turnstone, 5 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 5 Common Sandpipers and 1 Common Gull.

July 29th
This morning we visited Chamber's Wall, Coldharbour and Reculver and saw 3 Turtle Doves, 6 Linnets, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sandwich Tern, 5 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshank, 11 Little Egrets, 18 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin, a flock of 26 Whimbrel flying W out at sea, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Mallard, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 12 Goldfinches and 1 Corn Bunting.

Turnstone

July 28th
On a pleasant morning we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and recorded 4 Grey Partridges, 2 adults and at least 2 well grown young, 8 Goldfinches, 2 Turtle Doves, 3 Whitethroats, 12 Linnets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Lapwing, 5 Mallard, 1 Curlew, 9 Little Egrets, 9 Redshank, 17 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plovers, 6 Oystercatchers, 8 Swallows flying W and 1 Common Sandpiper.

This evening I received details of the Spanish ringed Sedge Warbler we caught on Reculver Marsh last Sunday, 24th July. It was ringed at Zambroncinos, Zotes del Paramo, Leon, Spain as an adult female on 14th August 2013. This site is 1,139 km SSW of Reculver.

July 27th
There was a change in the weather this morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour with a moderate SW wind blowing in cloud and occasional light drizzle. Unfortunately the wind didn't blow in many new birds and we saw 10 Cormorants, 6 Pied Wagtails, 1 juvenile Black Redstart at the Towers, 12 Linnets, 8 Swifts W, 1 Common Sandpiper, 12 Turnstone, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank, 1 Lapwing, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Mallard, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlews, 3 Snipe and 1 Little Owl.

Juvenile Black Redstart

July 26th
It was very quiet this morning as we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour before popping in to Reculver on the way home. We recorded 2 Turtle Doves singing, one at Chamber's Wall and one at Reculver, 10 Goldfinches, 2 Grey Herons, 4 Little Egrets, 6 Linnets, 3 Redshank, 8 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Coot, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Mallard and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Dunlin

July 25th
Another warm and sunny morning began with a group of 60 Swifts flying W over our garden at Bishopstone.
Later we walked from Chamber's Wall around Coldharbour and back by way of the Green Wall. We counted 1 Green Woodpecker, 9 Goldfinches, 8 Linnets, 1 male Turtle Dove singing, 10 Little Egrets, 14 Turnstone, 14 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers, 14 Ringed Plovers, 4 Oystercatchers, 1 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 3 Swifts W and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

Adult Little Egret

July 24th
The highlight of our morning's ringing out on the Marsh at Reculver was catching a Spanish ringed Sedge Warbler. Birds we saw during the morning included 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 8 Whitethroats, 24 Linnets, 16 Greenfinches, 26 Reed Warblers, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sedge Warblers and 15 Goldfinches.

Birds ringed 25: Wren 3, Robin 1, Reed Warbler 11, Whitethroat 5, Reed Bunting 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Greenfinch 2, Dunnock 1.

Spanish ringed Sedge Warbler

July 23rd
We spent another hot and sunny morning ringing, this time at Reculver, where we saw 1 Turtle Dove, 150 Sand Martins, 1 Lapwing, 15 Goldfinches, 2 Mallard, 7 Tufted Ducks, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Hobbies, 2 Jays, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kingfishers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 10 Whitethroats, 4 Swifts, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 30 Reed Warblers, one of which was a breeding male at least 7 years old, 4 Sedge Warblers and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 52: Wren 3, Reed Warbler 19, Cetti's Warbler 2, Blackcap 3, Whitethroat 6, Sedge Warbler 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Greenfinch 2, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 10, Kingfisher 1.

Lesser Whitethroat

This evening on the beach at at Coldharbour there were 16 Turnstones, 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Sanderling.

Sanderling

July 22nd
On a beautiful summer's morning we had an excellent ringing session at Shuart. During our time there we counted 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Willow Warbler, 28 Greylag Geese, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Chiffchaffs, 40 Goldfinches, 4 Blackcaps, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 45 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Common Buzzards, 10 Linnets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 10 Greenfiches and 2 Cetti's Warblers.

Birds ringed 67: Chiffchaff 2, Wren 3, Reed Warbler 22, Blackcap 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Goldfinch 21, Blue Tit 1, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 3, Great Tit 1, Grasshopper Warbler 2, Whitethroat 2, Greenfinch 2, Song Thrush 1, Blackbird 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.

Grasshopper Warbler

After I got home the local Herring Gulls were frantically alarm calling for over an hour but we couldn't see what was causing the fuss until, by luck, I was looking out of our window at 1330 and a huge, Gyr-sized Falcon, flew over. I couldn't see any colour against the bright sky but it is obviously an escaped bird. I'm pretty certain I saw it in similar circumstances a couple of weeks ago.
This evening Matt and Marion walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and back along the Green Wall. They saw 38 Turnstones, 6 Sanderling, 3 Common Sandpipers, 19 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Little Egrets, 1 adult Common Gull, 9 Ringed Plovers, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Turtle Dove and 1 Golden Plover.

July 21st
The hot and humid air of the last few days had moved away overnight leaving a fresher feel to the weather as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning. With the tide out there was not a great deal new to be seen this morning just 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Owl, 25 Cormorants, 6 Linnets, 7 Ringed Plovers, 1 Swift W, 4 Redshank, 7 Oystercatchers, 6 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpipers and 30 Sand Martins.

Turnstone

July 20th
The heat this morning was relieved somewhat by a fresh SE wind as we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and then visited Reculver. We saw 1 Turtle Dove, 9 Skylarks, 11 Swifts E, 2 Grey Herons, 13 Linnets, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Little Egrets, 8 Ringed Plovers, including 2 adults with 4 small chicks, 6 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Kestrel, 2 Mute Swans, 6 Tufted Ducks and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Ringed Plover chick

July 19th
On another hot morning with the tide coming in we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. We recorded 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Owl, 7 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 8 Linnets, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 18 Oystercatchers, 4 Kestrels, 10 Cormorants, 1 Curlew, 11 Turnstone, 11 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Whitethroats and 2 Shelduck.

July 18th

It was 21C at 0700 but fortunately there was a gentle and cooling sea breeze as we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour. Birds we saw included 15 Linnets, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Teal, 2 Swifts W, 2 Redshank, 13 Skylarks, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Ringed Plovers, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Common Sandpipers, 18 summer plumaged Sanderling flying W, 9 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 6 Mute Swans, 7 Cormorants, 2 Kestrels and 1 Turtle Dove.

Mediterranaean Gull

 

July 17th
We spent a very warm morning ringing at Reculver south of the railway line and saw 26 Linnets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Mallard, 13 Whitethroats, 30 Reed Warblers, 3 Grey Partridges, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Skylarks, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Goldfinches, 9 Greenfinches and 4 Swifts flying W.

Birds ringed 40: Wren 1, Whitethroat 10, Reed Warbler 16, Sedge Warbler 1, Great Tit 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blue Tit 1, Reed Bunting 1, Chaffinch 1, Linnet 1, Dunnock 4, Blackbirds 1.

Juvenile Reed Warbler

Comma on Creeping Thistle

July 16th
It was more windy than we had anticipated this morning so we curtailed our ringing session at Reculver early but we managed to see 4 Turtle Doves, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 110 Sand Martins, 6 Mallard, 10 Tufted Ducks, 2 Jays, 6 Goldfinches, 6 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Swifts W, 2 Kestrels, 1 Hobby and 6 Cormorants.

Birds ringed 7: Wren 2, Blackcap 1, Robin 1, Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1.

Juvenile Robin

Gatekeeper

July 15th
We spent a beautiful morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Blackcaps, 6 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Lapwings, 30 Reed Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 2 Kestrels, 15 Goldfinches, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Turtle Dove and 2 Hobbies.

Birds ringed 39: Wren 2, Chiffchaff 1, Reed Warbler 15, Linnet 1, Cetti's Warblers 3, Whitethroat 5, Blackcap 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Goldfinch 2, Reed Bunting 2, Great Tit 2, Dunnock 2.



Chicory

Terry Wilson found a Mediterranean Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls at Grenham Bay this morning.

July 14th
Matt began the morning with a seawatch from the Towers where he counted 4 Whimbrel W, 1 Curlew W, 1 Golden Plover W, 1 Tufted Duck W, 1 Gannet E, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern and 29 Common Scoter.
We met him at Chamber's Wall and walked up to and along the seawall before walking inland at Reculver. We saw 3 Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 77 Black-headed Gulls W, 5 Cormorants, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mallard, 10 Whimbrel W, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Oystercatchers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Hobby, 16 Linnets, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Jay, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Tufted Ducks and 4 Swifts.

I also received news of an adult male Reed Warbler we controlled at Reculver on 21st June 2016 that had been ringed as a juvenile on 9th August 2014 at Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire which is 142 km NW.

July 13th
The awful summer weather continues with a drizzly morning and a cool NW breeze blowing as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. There was a hint of birds beginning to move but I think we'll need to wait a couple of weeks before things improve. We saw 110 Black-headed Gulls W, 2 Mediterranean Gulls W, 2 adult Common Gulls W, 1 Blackcap, 3 Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Owl, 10 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 5 Curlews W, 1 Whimbrel W, 2 Redshanks, 1 Shelduck, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 adult Dunlin that landed on the beach briefly before continuing W, 30 Sand Martins and 1 Grey Heron.
The Redwing was still feeding beside the road behind the "Roman Galley" this evening.

Juvenile Pied Wagtail

July 12th
The sun was out for most of our walk from Reculver to Coldharbour this morning and we saw 4 Pied Wagtails, 9 Linnets, 6 Cormorants, 1 Little Owl, 15 Little Egrets, 6 Redshank, 4 Tufted Ducks, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Sandwich Terns, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Shelduck, 4 Ringed Plovers, 13 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lapwing, 1 male Grey Partridge and 5 Mallard.

Juvenile Black-headed Gull

July 11th
It was a struggle this morning with a strong SW wind blowing and most birds keeping their heads down. We walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 3 Cormorants, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Owl, 2 Redshank, 2 Linnets, 3 Little Egrets, 6 Oystercatchers, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 Sandwich Terns, 1 Whitethroat, 17 juvenile Yellow Wagtails feeding on the beach in the shelter of the seawall, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plovers and 8 Swifts W.

Pellitory of the Wall

July 10th
This morning we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 1 Hobby, 4 Whitethroats, 8 Linnets, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Oystercatchers, 15 Little Egrets in Coldharbour, 8 Redshank, 6 Mute Swans, 1 Common Tern, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Mallard, 1 Kestrel, 6 Swifts W and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Mute Swan family

July 9th
On a humid morning with an increasing SW breeze we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour and saw 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, 4 Linnets, 1 Little Owl, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Swifts W, 12 Redshank, 4 Cormorants, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5 Little Egrets, 5 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Curlew, 50 Sand Martins, 1 Common Tern, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Turnstone and 1 Common Buzzard.
The most unexpected bird of the morning was found by Matt as he drove home after our walk. It was a Redwing hopping about on the ground beside the road behind the Roman Galley. Later I managed to get a couple of not very good photos through a fence!!

Redwing

July 8th
We had another ringing session at Shuart and saw 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Cetti's Warblers. 5 Greenfinches, 1 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroats, 8 Goldfinches, 21 Swifts flying W, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Sedge Warblers, 16 Reed Warblers and 1 Common Buzzard.

Birds ringed 26: Wren 2, Whitethroat 3, Reed Warbler 9, Cetti's Warbler 4, Goldfinch 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Reed Bunting 2, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 1, Greenfinch 1.

Juvenile Cetti's Warbler

On a muggy but breezy afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and recorded 4 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Cormorants, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Common Terns, 5 Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull W, 21 Swifts W, 1 Shelduck, 1 Curlew, 3 Sandwich Terns, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails and 1 Ringed Plover.

July 7th
We spent another morning ringing, this time at Reculver, where we saw 2 Mute Swans, 3 Turtle Doves, 10 Tufted Ducks, 7 Whitethroats, 5 Chiffchaffs, 5 Lapwings NW, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 120 Sand Martins, 4 Greenfinches, 4 Swifts W and 2 Hobbies.

Birds ringed 19. Chiffchaff 4, Wren 1, Robin 2, Whitethroat 3, Blue Tit 2, Reed Warbler 3, Dunnock 3, Kingfisher 1.

Kingfisher

This afternoon we walked from Chamber's Wall to Coldharbour and counted 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull flying W, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plovers and 1 Chiffchaff.

July 6th
We spent a quiet morning ringing at Shuart where we saw 10 Blackcaps, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Green Woodpeckers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Partridges, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Lapwings, 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 5 Goldfinches, 3 Cormorants, 1 Greenshank W, 1 Hobby, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 6 Greenfinches.
On the butterfly front we found 3 Marbled Whites, 4 Small Heaths, 1 Small Blue and 3 Common Blues. We also saw a stunning male Banded Demoiselle.

Birds ringed 15. Wren 3, Blackcap 4, Robin 2, Goldfinch 1, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 3, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1.

Marbled White

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker

July 5th
With a SW breeze blowing we walked from Chamber's Wall and around Coldharbour and saw 51 Swifts W, 4 Cormorants, 5 Skylarks, 5 Whitethroats, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Corn Buntings, 5 Linnets, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Egrets, 4 Curlews W, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Mallard, 4 Ringed Plovers, 1 Hobby and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.
We also met Barry Matlock and later he saw an Arctic Skua (167th).

Little Egret

July 4th
At last a decent, warm, windless, summer's morning as we walked from Reculver to Coldharbour. The only thing to mar our walk was the usual swarm of pollen beetles we get at this time of year. If you are visiting Reculver, bring your sunglasses!
We saw 1 Blackcap, 1 juvenile Black Redstart, 7 Linnets, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Little Owls, 2 Common Terns, 4 Curlews, 3 Whitethroats, 6 Oystercatchers, 5 Cormorants, 4 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Lapwing, 2 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Corn Bunting, 3 Turnstone and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Cormorant

July 3rd
It was warm and sunny this morning as we parked at Chamber's Wall and walked round Coldharbour and we saw 8 Skylarks, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Oystercatchers, 1 Shelduck, 6 Ringed Plovers, 10 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Terns, 1 Little Egret, 2 Cormorants, 4 Linnets, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Blackcaps, 6 Goldfinches and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Dunlin



Turnstone

July 2nd
On a breezy but sunny morning we completed are regular walk from Reculver to Coldharbour and recorded 4 Sandwich Terns, 2 Pied Wagtails, 7 Linnets, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Little Owls, 8 Cormorants, 40 Sand Martins, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Ringed Plovers, 5 Oystercatchers, 4 Redshank, 1 Hobby, 1 Gannet W, 2 Common Terns and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Yellow-horned Poppy

July 1st
The month began overcast and blustery as we walked along the seawall from Reculver to Coldharbour. We saw 10 Shelduck, including 2 adults and 7 small ducklings that had nested in the cliffs at Bishopstone, 2 juvenile Black Redstarts on the rocks below the Towers, 6 Pied Wagtails, 5 Sandwich Terns, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Cormorants, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Little Egrets, 15 Swifts W, 30 Sand Martins, 2 Linnets, 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Common Terns, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Marsh Harrier and 4 Mallard.

Juvenile Black Redstart

Shelduck family